Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is reopening the comment period on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) published on May 3, 2012, on potential adjustments to the National Standard 1 Guidelines, one of 10 national standards for fishery conservation and management contained in Section 301 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The current comment period is scheduled to end on September 15, 2012. Because of the importance of NS1 to U.S. fishery management and the complexity of the issues, NMFS feels reopening the comment period will provide for a fuller range of public input on the NS1 Guideline issues. The comment period will close on October 12, 2012.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces that the 2012 bluefish commercial quota allocated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the bluefish fishery may not land bluefish in Massachusetts for the remainder of calendar year 2012, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the bluefish fishery require publication of this notification to advise Massachusetts that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available for landing bluefish in Massachusetts.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS has received an application from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO), in cooperation with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a marine geophysical (seismic) survey off the central coast of California, November to December, 2012. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to L-DEO and PG&E to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, 25 species of marine mammals during the specified activity.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application submitted by the Nature Conservancy contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would exempt participating vessels from minimum fish size and possession limits of Atlantic halibut. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on EFP applications.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

We, NMFS, announce the availability of new information that may identify a previously unrecognized population of false killer whales in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). This new information may be relevant to the final determination of whether the Hawaiian insular false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is a distinct population segment (DPS) that qualifies for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We intend to take this new information into consideration as we make our final listing determination on the Hawaiian insular false killer whale. We are reopening the public comment period on the November 17, 2010, proposed rule to list the Hawaiian insular false killer whale DPS as endangered throughout its range under the ESA. We are reopening the comment period for an additional 15 days for the limited purpose of allowing interested parties to comment on the new information listed below and whether it affects the determination that the insular false killer whale is a DPS that is eligible for ESA listing. Please note that comments previously submitted should not be resubmitted.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program (DARRP) is announcing new indirect cost rates on the recovery of indirect costs for its component organizations involved in natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities for fiscal year (FY) 2011. The indirect cost rates for this fiscal year and date of implementation are provided in this notice. More information on these rates and the DARRP policy can be found at the DARRP web site at: http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/library/12_b.html

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In this rule, NMFS specifies a quota of 325,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands for the 2012-13 fishing year, based on an annual catch limit of 346,000 lb. The action supports the long-term sustainability of Hawaii bottomfish.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Recreational Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS proposes a regulatory amendment to increase the maximum retainable amounts (MRAs) of groundfish using arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) and Kamchatka flounder (Atheresthes evermanni) as basis species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action would allow the use of BSAI arrowtooth flounder and Kamchatka flounder as basis species for the retention of species closed to directed fishing and is necessary to improve retention of otherwise marketable groundfish in these BSAI fisheries. This action also includes four regulatory amendments related to harvest management of Kamchatka flounder. Three amendments are necessary to manage Kamchatka flounder in the same manner as arrowtooth flounder in the BSAI and to aid in the recordkeeping, reporting, and catch accounting of flatfish in the BSAI. The fourth amendment is necessary to provide NMFS the flexibility to allocate arrowtooth flounder and Kamchatka flounder (and other species in the future) to the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program in the annual harvest specifications. Through this proposed action, NMFS intends to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, and other applicable law.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulation, we hereby give notification that we have issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (Authorization) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Observatory), a part of Columbia University, to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a marine geophysical (seismic) survey in the central Pacific Ocean, May through June, 2012.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2012 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS reopens the 2012 commercial sector for yellowtail snapper in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS previously determined the commercial ACL for yellowtail snapper would be reached by September 11, 2012, and closed the commercial sector for yellowtail snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m. on September 11, 2012. Updated landings estimates indicate the ACL will not be reached by that date. Therefore, NMFS is reopening the commercial sector for yellowtail snapper. The purpose of this action is to allow the commercial sector to maximize harvest benefits and at the same time protect the yellowtail snapper resource.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is revising the agenda for a public meeting of the Council on September 25-27, 2012 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces a meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) on October 25October 26, 2012. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) programs for the commercial red snapper and grouper/tilefish components of the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), the Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS (RA) has determined that catastrophic conditions exist in the following Louisiana Parishes: Lafourche, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and Jefferson, as a result of Hurricane Isaac. Consistent with those regulations, the RA has authorized IFQ participants within this affected area to temporarily use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required IFQ administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This temporary rule announcing the determination of catastrophic conditions and allowance of alternative methods for completing required IFQ administrative functions is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ operations during the period of catastrophic conditions.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant seat on the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Community-at-Large: Swains Island. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3-year terms, pursuant to the council's charter.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The SEDAR 30 assessments of the Caribbean blue tang and queen triggerfish will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: This notice is for a webinar associated with the Assessment portion of the SEDAR process. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2012 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA Fisheries announces 11 inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to the Oregon/California Border.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2012. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2013 and will be announced in a future notice.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application submitted by Limuli Laboratories of Cape May Court House, NJ, contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The proposed EFP would allow the harvest of up to 10,000 horseshoe crabs from the Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve (Reserve) for biomedical purposes and require, as a condition of the EFP, the collection of data related to the status of horseshoe crabs within the reserve. The Deputy Director has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Horseshoe Crab Interstate Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Deputy Director proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow up to two commercial fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations promulgated under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act). The EFP would allow for an exemption from the Reserve. Regulations under the Atlantic Coastal Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS proposes regulations to implement a revision of a disapproved action from Amendment 18A (the Resubmittal) to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 18A), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would allow black sea bass pot endorsements to be transferred under specific conditions. The intent of this rule is to implement the transferability action originally submitted in Amendment 18A, as clarified in the Resubmittal.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G; Responsible Party: Robert Small), 1255 West 8th Street, Juneau, AK 99811, has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, collect, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we have issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, harbor seals during restoration activities within the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA).

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to delist the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS has received a request from Port Dolphin Energy LLC (Port Dolphin) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to port construction and operations at its Port Dolphin Deepwater Port in the Gulf of Mexico, over the course of five years; approximately June 2013 through May 2018. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take and requests information, suggestions, and comments on these proposed regulations.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this notice to inform interested parties that the California Dungeness crab sub-loan in the fishing capacity reduction program for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery has been repaid. Therefore, buyback fee collections on California Dungeness crab will cease for all landings after June 30, 2012.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Robert A. Garrott, Ecology Department, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717 to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) for scientific research.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

We, NMFS, published a notice on May 16, 2012, announcing that the Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan for Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon, Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon, Columbia River Chum Salmon, and Lower Columbia River Steelhead (Proposed Plan) was available for public review and comment. Comments were due by July 16, 2012. We have decided to reopen the public comment period for an additional 30 days.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Members of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee Subcommittee on Coastal Pelagic Species (SSC Subcommittee) will hold a meeting that is open to the public.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This action corrects groundfish regulations that were published in three final rules. The first was published on December 15, 2010, and established various provisions of the trawl rationalization program; the second published on May 11, 2011, and established the 2011-2012 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish; the third published in December 1, 2011, and made revisions to the trawl program. This rules corrects inadvertent errors that, although they will not modify current fishing practices need to be corrected so that the rule text comports with the intent as expressed in the rules' preambles. This rule includes but is not limited to corrections to coordinates defining depth countours that apply to all fisheries, permit renewal dates, observer requirements, recreational regulations, processor obligations in the MS sector, the forms used to transfer an MS/CV endorsement, and others. Each correction is explained below.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to James Shine, Ph.D., Harvard University School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, 404H West, Boston, MA 02215, to import and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to vessels using jig gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2012 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the fourth seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors (C/Ps) using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2012 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to C/ Ps using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.